Although recorded early in the career of Muhal Richard Abrams, this brilliant LP shows the pianist/composer turning away from the stock jazz and studio work of earlier years – to develop into one of the richest talents to rise from the Chicago avant underground of the 60s! At the time of the recording, Abrams was the president of the recently-founded AACM – and for the session, he's surrounded himself with some of the best young talents from Chicago, including Thurman Barker, Anthony Braxton, Leroy Jenkins, and Maurice McIntyre – all of whom help to create a complicated web of colors, shapes, and sounds, that prove that the youthful energy of the underground scene was more than capable of crafting sophisticated modernist documents. The album features three long works – "Levels & Degrees Of Light", "The Bird Song", and "My Thoughts Are My Future". CD

Two lost groovers from the mid 60s jazz catalog of Atlantic Records! Soulero is a very groovy session of piano trio material, recorded in Chicago by the city's "great white hope" of the 60s: pianist Eddie Higgins. The set was recorded for the Dunwich production group (who gave the world The Shadows of Knight), but was licensed to Atlantic for final release. The group's a very tight trio, with Higgins backed by Richard Evans on bass and Marshall Thompson on drums – and the resulting sound is nice and soulful, in the same tradition of Chicago piano recordings by Ramsey Lewis and Ray Bryant. Titles include "Soulero", "Tango Africaine", "Mr. Evans", and "Shelly's World". Hubert Laws' Laws' Cause is a much more fleshed-out record – and features larger arrangements scored by Laws and Chick Corea, often with a bit of a Latiny feel, as was common for Laws' records at the time. The instrumentation is pretty interesting at times – in that cool "high concept" way that labels like Atlantic and Cadet were working in at the time – and in addition to Laws' flute, there's bits of harpsichord, bassoon, sitar, and even some vocals by a young Melba Moore. Titles include "No More", "If You Knew", "A Day With You", and "Shades Of Light". CD

A lesser-known bit of funky fusion from David Matthews – a set that steps off his CTI/Kudu work of the 70s, with an update of that older jazz funk vibe! The group shows Matthews' continuing connection to the best players of this mode at the time – and features keyboards from Richard Tee and Cliff Carter, baritone from Ronnie Cuber, tenor from George Young, and trumpet from Lew Soloff – the last three of whom bring in some acoustic warmth next to the more electric vibe of the set. Titles are all originals by Matthews – and include "La Tigra", "Spanish Night", "Doctor Rocker & Mr Jive", and "Mad Millie". CD

Rare work by Hammond organ giant Big John Patton – recorded in 1968, but never issued until 1995, and even then, only briefly! The record features Patton at his finest – stretching out from his basic soul jazz roots, into a more searching use of the organ that's undoubtedly influenced by Larry Young's work at the same time. The record features great work by Harold Alexander on flute and tenor, plus trumpet by Vincent McEwan, drums by George Brown, and added conga by Richard Landrum. The groove is somewhere between 60s soul jazz and modal – and the tracks are long, with that heavy Patton swing! Title sinclude "B&J", "Boogaloo Boogie", "Milk & Honey", "Shoutin But No Poutin", and "Spirit". CD

Although recorded early in the career of Muhal Richard Abrams, this brilliant LP shows the pianist/composer turning away from the stock jazz and studio work of earlier years – to develop into one of the richest talents to rise from the Chicago avant underground of the 60s! At the time of the recording, Abrams was the president of the recently-founded AACM – and for the session, he's surrounded himself with some of the best young talents from Chicago, including Thurman Barker, Anthony Braxton, Leroy Jenkins, and Maurice McIntyre – all of whom help to create a complicated web of colors, shapes, and sounds, that prove that the youthful energy of the underground scene was more than capable of crafting sophisticated modernist documents. The album features three long works – "Levels & Degrees Of Light", "The Bird Song", and "My Thoughts Are My Future". CD

A beautiful bit of insanity that properly displays why we think Jaki Byard is one of the greatest overlooked talents of the 60's! Jaki plays here not just on his usual piano – but also electric piano, celeste, vibes, and even a bit of tenor – shifting wonderfully to match the spirit of his changing moods on the set – and working with superb backing from the team of Richard Davis (on both bass and cello) and Alan Dawson (on drums, vibes, and tympani). Junior Parker joins in on the record – singing on 2 tracks on the set plus playing the unusual "lagerphone" – and arrangements are very weird, with a memorable mix of modernist ideas, all handled with the down-to-earth sensibility that made Byard so great. Titles include "Ode To Prez", "Nocturne For Contrabass", "Freedom Together", and a great version of "Young At Heart", cut a few years before Muhal Richard Abrams did his nutty version! CD

Insanely wonderful music from Andrew Hill – a lean, stripped-down session that has Hill working at his firey best – in a space that's somewhere between the "new thing" recordings of Jackie McLean, and the brooding brilliance of Andrew's later Smokestack session! The group here has some key figures fleshing out the sound – a young Joe Henderson, blowing tenor with a very edgey quality – the very versatile Richard Davis on bass – and the great Roy Haynes on drums, very much at his most fluid interpretation of rhythm! The whole set's pretty darn great – one of the more mindblowing Blue Notes you'll ever hope to buy – and tracks include "Pumpkin", "Subterfuge", "Cantarnos", and "McNeil Island". CD features 2 bonus tracks too – alternate takes of 2 tracks on the album. CD

Keep the party going all night long – with another great set of grooves from this long-running series! The music here is similar to the other collections on the PTG/Vinyl Masterpiece label – a strong focus in the best sounds of the 80s – not the underground work or indie sides – but overlooked soul and club cuts that were bubbling under in the mainstream at the time – and which are wonderfully revived here! Titles include "Celebrate Your Love" by Executive, "In The Night (ext version)" by Richard Jon Smith, "Just In Time" by Raw Silk, "Make Up Your Mind" by Val Young, "Stop Playin With My Love" by Steve Drayton, "Let Me Hold You" by Sonique, "Pick Me Up" by Electric Mind, "My Love Is Hot" by Cool Notes, and "Don't Give Me Up" by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. CD

A sweet little album from drummer Steve Gadd – one that will more than make you forgive the title's wordplay on his last name! Steve's drums give the record a nice sort of punch that's sometimes missing from 80s fusion of this nature – a rhythm approach that still has the spontaneous energy of acoustic drums, when so many other fusion dates were using drum programs – great grounding from Gadd, which really helps give the right sort of direction to instrumentation from Richard Tee on keyboards, George Young on tenor and soprano sax, Lew Soloff on trumpet, and Ronnie Cuber on baritone. David Matthews arranged, but the overall vibe is looser than some of his records of the time – and titles include "The Duke", "Montauk Moon", "Gaddabout", "My Little Brother", and "Lucky 13". CD

A record with an unassuming group name, title, and cover – but a rare set from the New Orleans scene – and one that offers up early work from Ellis Marsalis, both Alvin and Harold Battiste, and even a young Ed Blackwell too! The record's a rare example of the kind of forward-thinking jazz that was happening in New Orleans at the time – not a reworking of trad modes, but instead one of the few records from that scene that offered up some really fresh new voices, working in a righteous spirit that's all their own! All tunes are originals – most by Alvin Batiste – played by Marsalis on piano, Alvin Batiste on clarinet, Harold Batiste on tenor, Ed Blackwell on drums, and either Richard Payne or William Swanson on bass. The overall sound is surprisingly modern – lots of crackling edges that make both the compositions and performances really sparkle – and titles include "Punchin", "Tribute", "Ohadi", "Capetown", "Fourth Month", and "Chatterbox". CD

A really well-done collection that gets at the full range of folk sounds in the Village scene of the 60s – and one that also traces some of its influence in farther reaches too! The package was put together by Warner, and features some real gems from the Elektra catalog – mixed with other great bits from Vanguard, Prestige, Tradition, and even Columbia Records too – all very important forces in folk music that really had a strong presence in New York, and were often working hard to grab the freshest young talents to make the scene. The 2CD package features over 40 tracks – some classics mixed with lesser-known treasures – and Richie Unterberger's notes really do a great job of situating the music and illuminating the Village a the time. Titles include "He Was A Friend" by Dian & The Greenbriar Boys, "Close The Door Lightly When You Go" by Eric Anderson, "Hang Me Oh Hang Me" by Dave Van Ronk, "I Can't Slow Down" by Tim Hardin, "Patriot Game" by Liam Clancy, "House Un-American Blues Activity Dream" by Richard Farina, "The Cuckoo" by Jean Ritchie, "Urge For Going" by Tom Rush, "Fare Thee Well" by Bob Gibson, "500 Miles" by Hedy West, "The Street" by David Blue, "The Death Of Queen Jane" by Joan Baez, and "Deportees" by Cisco Houston. CD

A landmark album – one of the greatest harmony soul albums of the early 70s! The title cut is one you'll know instantly – as "Thin Line Between Love & Hate" is one of those soul classics that never gets old – and the rest of the album's equally great, with a sublime mix of rough and sweet that the group was never able to duplicate again. The sound is incredible – with arrangements by Richard Poindexter, and backings by the group Young Gifted & Bad, who often use a bit of vibes behind the vocals, which makes for a really cool sound! Titles include "Let's Get Down Together", "Blood Brothers", "If This Is What You Call Love (I Don't Want No Part Of It)", "Love Gonna Pack Up" and "You Musta Put Something in Your Love". CD

One of the few albums ever as a leader from alto saxophonist Pete Brown – a less-remembered talent of his times, but a key link between the generations of bop and swing! The set was only issued as a 10" LP, but packs the full punch of most longer albums – sublime alto from Brown with a crisp tone firmly in place – sitting somewhere between older bop players and some of the emerging Tristano-ites from the east coast – a vibe that's almost like Charlie Mariano or Dick Johnson in their best younger years, but with a bit more soul too. The group's a hip sextet – with trumpet from Joe Wilder, guitar from Wally Richardson, and piano by Wadde Legge – and the album includes a great version of "The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise", plus the nice originals "Delta Blues" and "Used Blues". CD

A record that's virtually the blueprint for the sound of Hammond organ and tenor sax in soul jazz– the first of Eddie Lockjaw Davis' great run of cookbook albums for Prestige! The record features Lockjaw's gutsy tenor in a group alongside Jerome Richardson's lighter flute – both dancing wonderfully together over organ lines from a young Shirley Scott – playing here with a style that's a bit earthier and more bluesy than some of her later work. Rhythm is by George Duviver on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums – and tracks include the classic 12 minute jammer "In The Kitchen", plus shorter tracks "Three Deuces", "The Chef", and "Have Horn, Will Blow". CD features bonus track "Avalon". CD

Overlooked 70s genius from The Impressions – 2 killer albums back to back on a single CD! Loving Power is later Curtom work from the group – but still plenty darn nice, with a super-dope vocal harmony approach on the best tracks! The title cut is worth the price of admission alone – as it's a slow-stepping harmony tune that really burns with a sweet mellow feel – sung to perfection by a quartet lineup that includes younger singers Ralph Johnson and Reggie Torian working with older Impressions Fred Cash and Sam Gooden. Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy had a good hand in much of the record – bringing it into the warm, sophisti-soul style they were using at the time – and arrangements include some great work by Richard Evans and Rich Tufo. Titles include "Loving Power", "If You Have To Ask", "Sunshine", and "I Can't Wait To See You". It's About Time is The Impressions first album for Cotillion, cut after a great 70s run on Curtom – but one that's done with a sound that still carries on the groove nicely! The more righteous tones of the earlier work are shaken loose a bit, to be replaced by a fuller approach to the music built from arrangements by HB Barnum, Gene Page, and Gil Askey – a bit more LA than Chicago, but with a soaringly soulful quality that almost recalls the sound of The Spinners during their best Philly years. As with that work, the harmonies here are all right on the money, and get plenty of space to sparkle amidst the full strings and tight rhythms – and new group member Nate Evans really brings a deep sense of soul to the group's work. Many tunes were written by the team of Mervin Seals and Melvin Steals – and titles include "I'm A Fool For Love", "Same Old Heartaches", "This Time", "Stardust", "I Need You", and "What Might Have Been". CD

Some of best work in years from resurgent soul legend Bettye Lavette – with a wise, gritty edge touched by classic southern soul and rawer, though still quite elegant bluesy influences – and giving a diverse range of material her distinct personal stamp! As wonderful as Bettye's voice is, she's also done a great job in her post millenium years of showing what a strong interpreter of a wide range of songwriters she is. On Worthy, she covers Dylan, Jagger/Richards, Lennon/McCartney and others, and makes each tune her own. She's working again with producer Joe Henry, who helmed the equally excellent I've Got My Own Hell To Raise nearly a decade earlier, and the titles include "Unbelievable", "When I Was A Young Girl", "Bless Us All" "Stop", "Undamned", "Just Between You And Me And The Wall, You're A Fool", "Where A Life Goes", "Step Away", "Wait", "Worthy" and more. CD

Some of best work in years from resurgent soul legend Bettye Lavette – with a wise, gritty edge touched by classic southern soul and rawer, though still quite elegant bluesy influences – and giving a diverse range of material her distinct personal stamp! As wonderful as Bettye's voice is, she's also done a great job in her post millenium years of showing what a strong interpreter of a wide range of songwriters she is. On Worthy, she covers Dylan, Jagger/Richards, Lennon/McCartney and others, and makes each tune her own. She's working again with producer Joe Henry, who helmed the equally excellent I've Got My Own Hell To Raise nearly a decade earlier, and the titles include "Unbelievable", "When I Was A Young Girl", "Bless Us All" "Stop", "Undamned", "Just Between You And Me And The Wall, You're A Fool", "Where A Life Goes", "Step Away", "Wait", "Worthy" and more. The deluxe edition includes a bonus DVD of Bettye's 2014 concert at London's Jazz Cafe – the full, 85 minute show! CD

Older grooves – but as fresh as can be – thanks to a great compilation job by Coldcut! The tunes are a mix of older funk from obscure sources – and include some excellent lesser-known funky soul numbers, some very groovy instrumentals, and a few post-disco dancefloor numbers that round out the set nicely! Coldcut's been digging the grooves longer than most of today's younger DJs, and the set's got a real depth that comes from all of his years in the field – moving past familiar funk to include some really wonderful numbers. Titles include "I Want You Back" by Bob Shad & The Bad Men, "Do Your Thing" by Chosen Few, "La Drogue" by Richard De Bordeaux & Daniel Baretta, "It's Yours" by TLA Rock & Jazzy Jay, "Can I Get A Witness" by Barbara Randolph, "So Hungry So Angry" by Medium Medium, "The Only Way Is Up" by Otis Clay, "Power" by Temptations, "There's A Break In The Road" by Betty Harris, "Hernandoz Hideaway" by Archie Bleyer, "Disposable Society" by Esther Phillips, and "La Gigouille" by La Formule Du Baron. CD features 17 cuts in all! CD

A triple-header of hardbop albums – a great package that features 3 Savoy Records classics from 1955, with bonus tracks and great notes too! First up is Bohemia After Dark – an excellent hardbop session from the glory days of the Savoy label – easily one of the label's key 50s classics! Drummer Kenny Clarke's at the front of the group – but all players are great, and the set features work by Cannonball Adderley on alto, Jerome Richardson on tenor, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nat Adderley on cornet, Hank Jones or Horace Silver on piano, and Paul Chambers on bass. The Adderley brothers sound especially great – and the young Cannonball has a quality here that's more soulful and sharp-edged than his work on Mercury – much more in a Prestige blowing session style! Titles include "Late Entry", "Chasm", "Bohemia After Dark", and "Hear Me Talkin To Ya". Next is more material from the same stretch, originally issued under the title Spontaneous Combustion under Cannonball's name. Adderley and his alto sax are joined by Donald Byrd on trumpet, Nat Adderley on cornet, Jerome Richardson on tenor sax and flute, Horace Silver on piano, Paul Chambers on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. The tracks include "Spontaneous Combustion", "Caribbean Cutie", "A Little Taste", "We'll Be Together Again", "Still Talkin To Ya", and "Flamingo". Last up is the album That's Nat – a real smoker from a young Nat Adderley – a session that has the leader on cornet, working in a tight hardbop combo with Jerome Richardson on tenor and flute, Hank Jones on piano, Wendell Marshall on bass, and Kenny Clarke on drums! The tracks are all nicely sharp-edge – that soulful Savoy sound of the mid 50s – and Richardson is especially nice, really getting a great sound from both his tenor and flute. Tracks are somewhat long, with good room for solos – and titles include "Porky", "I Married An Angel", "Kuzzin's Buzzin's", and "You Better Go Now". CD

Nicola Conte digs deep into the catalog of Prestige Records – and comes up with a host of spiritual and modal jazz tunes in the process! Conte's ears are always wonderful – not just on his own albums, or his work with Schema Records – but also when he's given material like this – sounds that might seem familiar at the outset, but which really bristle with new energy in his hands! You'll recognize most of the artists here, but Nicola's done an excellent job of pulling out really special tracks – including some under-heard album gems that resonate with some of the earliest examples of spiritual undercurrents in jazz. Titles include "Taboo" by Yusef Lateef, "Poinciana" by Jerome Richardson, "Blues In Bloom" by Gigi Gryce, "Cubano Chant" by Art Taylor, "Talkin Bout JC" by Larry Young, "Barengo" by Barry Harris, "Quiet Dawn" by Cedar Walton, "Feeling Good" by Andy & The Bey Sisters, and "Stolen Moments" by Eddie Lockjaw Davis. CD